Is Colonia ready to take the next step?
After losing a handful of great players to graduation, Colonia is off to a fast start. After losing their first game to Bridgewater 6-4 in extra innings, Colonia has pulled of 2 straight wins. Note these two wins were against two top 10 teams in the county. They were Metuchen who was ranked 6th, and Perth Amboy who was ranked 9th.The Patriots came into the season tied for 10th. Colonia are returning five letter winners from the previous year. They return 4 juniors and one senior.
Freshman Nick Nielson led them to a 3-2 victory over Perth Amboy after pitching a complete game and only giving up 2 runs. Sophomore Anthony Demeo had two singles and an RBI for the patriots. Juniors Chris Michael and Frank Lehman combined for 5 hits and 2 RBI’s to lead Colonia’s offense to victory. In their win over Metuchen, Junior Chris Michael was on the mound throwing a complete game shutout. Colonia won 1-0. Junior Anthony Palmisano drove in the lone Patriot score. Every win counts when you are playing for the GMC and division championship.
A Patriots team with only 3 seniors, this young squad looks to be very competitive in the GMC. This team is filled with young, under the radar talent that can make a big splash this year. Fourth year coach Vincent Esposito is tasked with winning games this year and developing his young boys for the next two seasons. With a freshman and two juniors starting this season, Colonia is looking to have multiple County and division titles in the next 3 seasons. They already have flexed their muscles in the county by beating two top 10 teams. If they can continue to have great pitching every game their is no reason they can’t be successful this season.
Once the Patriots offense picks up, Colonia should have no problem winning games. In 2016 they finished with a fine record of 15-10 but only a 5-5 division record. I predict Colonia should win about 18-19 games and win at least 7-8 games in the division. Hopefully the boys can live up to everyone’s expectations.
